Science of Baking

This article provides a guide to choosing the right size and shape of cake tin. I describe the impact that the cake mould has on the structure, and why the depth of the tin is important for achieving an even rise. I explain how to swap a round tin for a square tin, and how to adjust a recipe to use a larger or smaller tin. A conversion table isRead More

This article provides an in-depth guide to working with gluten-free flours. I discuss what purpose gluten serves in bakes, and how to achieve the same effect when using gluten-free ingredients. I briefly describe the physical properties of each gluten-free flour, and assess what effect they have on a bake. I offer recommendations on which ones are the most suitable to use, and some advice on solving common problems.Read More

This article provides a guide to replacing butter with lard in baking recipes. I describe the role that fat plays to effect the structure and flavour, and the difference between using a solid fat and a liquid fat. I provide a simple set of instructions for adapting recipes, including a conversion chart, and recommend which recipes are most appropriate for substitution.Read More

This article provides a guide to replacing butter with olive oil in baking recipes. I describe the role that fat plays to effect the structure and flavour, and the difference between using a solid fat and a liquid fat. I provide a simple set of instructions for adapting recipes, including a conversion chart, and recommend which recipes are most appropriate for substitution.Read More

In the last few posts, we’ve looked at how to replace sugar with honey in baking recipes, how to replace flour with ground almonds, and how to replace butter with coconut oil. So the obvious next step is to apply what we’ve learnt, and have a go at actually making a cake by adapting an existing recipe. Click here for my automatic recipe adapter (a spreadsheet that will calculate the amountsRead More

This article provides a guide to replacing butter with coconut oil in baking recipes. I describe the role that fat plays to effect the structure and flavour, and the difference between using a solid fat and a liquid fat. I provide a simple set of instructions for adapting recipes, including a conversion chart, and recommend which recipes are most appropriate for substitution.Read More

This article provides a short guide to replacing wheat flour with ground almonds in baking recipes. I compare the physical properties of both, and describe what affect they have on the structure and flavour of a bake. I provide a simple set of instructions for adapting recipes, including a conversion chart for the amounts to use.Read More

This article provides a guide to replacing sugar with honey in baking recipes. I describe the role that sugar plays, and compare the different types of sugar that are commonly used in baking. I provide a simple set of instructions for adapting recipes, including a conversion chart, and recommend which recipes are most appropriate for substitution.Read More